Protector for hens&#39; nests.



No. 670,832. Patented Mar. 26, 190i.

- C. F. AUEB.

PROTECTOR FORHE'NS" NESTS.

(Application filed Dec. 18. 1899.)

(No Modal.)

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CHARLES F. AUER, OF LATHAM, ILLINOIS.

PROTECTOR FOR HENS NESTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 670,832, dated March 26, 1901.

Application filed December 18, 1899. Serial No. 740,739. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Beit known that I, CHARLES F. AUER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Latham, in the county of Loganand State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Protectors for Hens Nests, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to guards or protectors for hens nests, the object being to provide automatic means for closing the entrance to a nest so long as the latter is occupied.

The construction of the improvement will be fully described hereinafter and its novel features defined in the appended claim, in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the invention, with one side of the structure removed; and Fig. 2 is a central vertical longitudinal section of the same.

The frame of the device consists of vertical posts 1, side bars 2, and cross-bars 3.

4 designates the roof or cover, and 5 the sides, of the structure.

The upper and lower side bars are connected by vertical braces 6, to which is pivotally secured a ladder 7 at the point 7, the outer end of which extends between the front posts or standards 1. From the under side of the inner end of the ladder 7 is loosely secured a depending bar 8, the lower free end of which is adapted to contact with and tilt a platform 9, pivotally supported upon a rod 10 between the lower side bars of the frame.

The platform 9 is loosely connected in front of its pivotal support by links 11 with the under side of the inner end of the ladder, and the rear edge of said platform extends below the outer side of a box 12, containing the nest.

The inner side of the box 12 is pivotally supported upon a cross-rod 13, which extends through the rear vertical posts of the frame.

The under side of the box 12 is provided with depending forked brackets 14, which rest upon the rod 13.

To the rear end of the frame is secured a board 15, provided just above the box 12 with an opening 16, adapted to be closed by a door 17.

The operation of the mechanism constructed as above described is as follows: When a hen ascending the ladder 7 passes beyond the pivotal point thereof, the weight of the hen tilts the inner end of the ladder down and the rear side of the platform 9 and the front end of the nest up, permitting the hen to reach the nest. As soon as the weight of the hen is transferred to the box 12, containing the nest, the front end of the nest and the rear side of the platform 9 is thrown down and theinner end of the ladder up, thus closing the ingress to the nest as long as the hen remains thereon, for if a second fowl ascends the ladder its weight will be counterbalanced by the weight of the hen on the nest, thus preventing the tilting of the ladder.

The door 17 permits of access to the nest for the removal of eggs, and the rod 13, which is removable, allows the box 12 to drop down for removal for cleansing or other purposes.

At each side of the frame is provided a grating or door 18, pivotally supported at its upper end to allow of the egress of the hen upon the nest.

I claim- The combination with a framework, of a ladder pivotally supported thereon; a tilting platform arranged below the inner end of the ladder; and loosely connected thereto; a depending bar loosely secured at its upper end to the ladder and adapted to contact with a tilting platform; and a box pivotally supported at its inner side, and having its outer side resting on said platform.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES F. AUER.

Witnesses:

O. L. GORRELL, JOHN W. ALLISON. 

